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  • Date publishedTuesday, November 11, 2014

Creekside Estate Winery Wine Tasting



Wine reviews of various wines from Creekside Estate Winery
I received these delicious wine samples from Creekside Estate Winery recently and opened them up a couple of weeks ago on a crisp, Fall .

Creekside has been making premium wine since 1997, when owner Laura McCain pursued a passion for wine by purchasing a 15-acre vineyard and winery on Fourth Avenue in Jordan. The darlings of their portfolio at the time were Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz - neither grape particularly known for doing well in Niagara during this period.

The year 1999 marked the first of several major face lifts to the site, including the addition of shiny new stainless steel tanks with temperature control jackets, a brand new crush pad, and a pneumatic press. In 2000, an underground barrel cellar for fermentation and aging was added to the site.

Growing consumer demand meant more grapes were required to produce more wine. Creekside purchased a 50-acre vineyard site on St. David's Bench and named it the Queenston Road Vineyard (QRV). This site now produces some of their best wines, including their award-winning Syrah that I tasted at the winery in September.

Due to growing popularity over the years, a brand new retail store and covered outdoor deck was built in 2008. During this time, new labels, packaging and website were all face-lifted and are the current look-and-feel that you see today.

Creekside's slogan is "Serious wine from an irreverent bunch". After visiting them last month and my wine reviews below, I can agree that their wines are serious.


Tasting Notes:
CREEKSIDE PINOT GRIGIO 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#083196) (XD) - $14.95
Screw cap. Medium+ intensity aromas with lime, peach, apple and leesy notes. Dry, medium-bodied palate with crisp, lively acids and pleasing aroma replays. Crisp, medium-length finish that is slightly bitter and tart. LCBO General List and widely available. Score: 87 pts

Wine review of 2012 Creekside Pinot Grigio from VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

CREEKSIDE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#620724) (XD) - $13.95
Screw cap. Elegant, medium intensity nose showing gooseberry, kiwi, guava and lime aromas. It's medium-weighted and echos the aromas, along with some greenness on the flavour profile. Balanced acids. Tropical fruit & lime flavours on the medium+ length on the finish. Well balanced overall. LCBO General List and widely available. Score: 88 pts

Wine review of 2013 Creekside Sauvignon Blanc from VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

ICONOCLAST SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - VQA Creek Shores, Ontario, Canada (#) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. Nose seems somewhat closed but shows mandarine orange, guava, kiwi and some earthy aromas. Medium+ bodied and fleshy palate with lemon/lime, green leaf and mineral flavours. Has a fine seam of acidity that dances on the long, dry finish. Score: 88 pts

Wine review of 2013 Iconoclast Sauvignon Blanc from VQA Creek Shores, Ontario, Canada

CREEKSIDE CABERNET SHIRAZ 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#305300) (XD)  - $16.95
Comprised of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Shiraz. Screw cap. Lifted nose featuring smoky, meaty, peppercorn and cassis aromas, Some distinct barnyard notes as it opens up in the glass. Medium-full bodied palate with dark, brooding tannins and mouth-watering acids. Flavours of blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, black pepper, vanillan oak and cocoa. Drinkable now and can be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years. LCBO General List and widely available. Score: 88+ pts

Wine review of 2012 Creekside Cabernet Shiraz from VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada


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  • Date publishedSaturday, November 8, 2014

Herederos Del Marqués de Riscal (Spain) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wines are a pair of Spanish wines from Marqués de Riscal. Founded in 1858, Marques de Riscal is one of the oldest wineries in all of Rioja. Their first wines were bottled four years later, in 1862, and won numerous awards over the years. Fast forward to 1972, when Marqués de Riscal produced their first white wines in Rueda. This winery continued it's innovative and pioneering ways in 1995 when they introduced the very first grape sorting table within the Rioja appellation. And most recently, it was awarded Best European Winery in 2013 by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Wine labels of Marqués de Riscal wines

As you will see from my wine review below, both of these wines are delicious. Furthermore, both of these wines are general listed at the LCBO and readily available.


Tasting Notes:
MARQUÉS DE RISCAL 2013 - DO Rueda, Spain (#036822) (XD) - $12.55
Screw cap. 100% Verdejo. Medium-high aromatics showing lovely floral, herbal nose, with a backdrop of earth, and hints of guava and banana. Very complex nose. Palate is medium+ bodied with herbal, white grapefruit, passion fruit and hints of tropical fruit. Fresh acids are nicely balanced, while the dry finish is very good. Excellent value! Get the 2013 while it's still available. Score: 88+ pts

Wine review of 2013 Marqués de Riscal from DO Rueda, Spain

MARQUÉS DE RISCAL RESERVA 2008 - DOC Rioja, Spain (#032656) (XD) - $24.65
Mostly Tempranillo with 7% Graciano and 3% Mazuelo (Carignan). Plum and old, wet wood aromas from the cork. Medium+ intensity aromas featuring dried fruit, cedar, blackberry, plums and hints of underbrush. It's medium-bodied with an earthy core surrounded by notions of black cherry, blackberry, dried fruits, and herbally notes. Acids are still very fresh. Tannins are slightly dusty, but otherwise very smooth. Excellent length on the cherry-earthy finish. Recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Wine review of 2008 Marqués de Riscal Reserva from DOC Rioja, Spain


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  • Date publishedThursday, November 6, 2014

Juvé y Camps Cinta Purpura Reserva Brut Cava 2010 (Spain) - Wine Review

One normally opens a Sparkling Wine to mark a celebration. So, last Sunday I decided to open this lovely Cava to celebrate... for no reason!

This delicious Cava is made with local grape varietals Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada, using the traditional method. The 2009 vintage of this Cava was among my VINTAGES wine picks last December. I expect this 2010 version will be in VINTAGES this coming December.

JUVÉ Y CAMPS CINTA PURPURA RESERVA BRUT CAVA 2010 - DO Penedes, Spain (#352864) (XD) - $17.95
Wine Review of 2010 Juvé y Camps Cinta Purpura Reserva Brut Cava from DO Penedes, Spain
Tasting Note:
Medium intensity nose bouncing between yeast, bread, walnuts and floral and tropical fruit notes. It's palate is mid-weight with fresh, balanced acids and a good amount of mousse. Nutty, peach, floral and tropical flavours on the palate with just a kiss of sweetness. Lengthy, dry finish. Delicious and recommended. Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedMonday, November 3, 2014

Nov. 8 LCBO Wine Picks: Fine Holiday Wines + Ports

LCBO Wine Picks from November 8, 2014 VINTAGES Release
The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be in stores across Ontario this weekend - on . As we get into the holiday season, the releases seem to getting bigger and feature more higher priced wines - this release is no exception. This release is titled "Uncork the Season" and features many fine holiday wines as part of the major theme. The secondary theme features some very fine Port wines.

From the holiday-themed wines, 32 wines. Included among my wine picks is a 750 mL, as well as a conveniently-sized 375 mL, Champagne from Bollinger. There are also 2 elegantly oaked Chardonnays from Hidden Bench and Louis Latour. A 2001 Rioja from Ontanon is 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano, and at 13 years old is ready to drink now, but can be further cellared until the end of this decade. A pair of California red blends also made my list of wine picks - the exceptional L'Aventure is a blend of 50% Syrah, 33% Cab Sauv, and 17% Petit Verdot, while the Jonata Todos Red is 78% Syrah, 8% Sangiovese and 8 grapes making up the rest.

Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2009 from DOC Douro, Portugal
Of the 6 Port wines featured, I can recommend 4 of them, which vary in price from $15.95 up to $70. At the low end is a sweet White Port from Taylor Fladgate that is made using local, classic Port grape varieties. White Ports are aged for 2-3 years in large oak vats prior to bottling. A little less sweet is the Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port, a wine that has been aged between 4-6 years after harvest. Next is the 1995 Dalva Colheita Port - this wine has been aging in large oak barrels since harvest in 1995, until it was bottled earlier this year and arriving on our shores this weekend. A real treat! Lastly, the Sandeman Vintage Port hails from an exceptional 2011 vintage, bottled in 2013 and will last for decades. The Sandeman name certainly brings back some fond memories of when I visited this winery back in the summer of 2005.

From the rest of the release, there is an interesting Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Petit Verdot/Malbec blend from Mexico, and a predominantly Sangiovese blend from Le Pupille. The Orestiadi is a blend of mostly Nero d'Avola, with some Cabernet Sauvignon added to finalize the blend. The Crianza is mostly Tempranillo, while the Hidden Bench Meritage is dominated by Merlot, with 19% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Malbec added in support.

Including this release, there are only 4 more VINTAGES releases remaining in 2014, so you may want to start your holiday shopping now! Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week!


Red Wine:
  • CASAS DEL BOSQUE RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2012 - Rapel Valley, Chile (#205872) (XD) - $14.95
  • MENGUANTE SELECCIÓN GARNACHA 2008 - DOP Cariñena, Spain (#313833) (XD) - $16.95
  • L.A. CETTO DON LUIS SELECCIÓN RESERVADA TERRA 2010 - Baja California, Mexico (#388520) (XD) - $19.95
  • ORESTIADI LUDOVICO 2008 - IGT Rosso Sicilia, Italy (#388645) (XD) - $19.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • HERMANOS PECIÑA SEÑORÍO DE P. PECIÑA CRIANZA 2009 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#313726) (XD) - $21.95
  • LE PUPILLE POGGIO VALENTE MORELLINO DI SCANSANO RISERVA 2009 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#230680) (XD) - $29.95
  • HIDDEN BENCH TERROIR CACHÉ MERITAGE 2010 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#505610) (XD) - $38.20  reviewed here
  • ONTANON GRAN RESERVA 2001 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#939736) (XD) - $39.95
  • L’AVENTURE OPTIMUS 2011 - Paso Robles, California, USA (#683409) (XD) - $63.95  reviewed here
  • LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#700922) (XD) - $63.95
  • JONATA TODOS RED 2010 - Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, California, USA (#218941) (XD) - $67.95

White Wine:
  • MENADE VERDEJO 2013 - DO Rueda, Spain (#392159) (XD) - $16.95
  • FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#080234) (M) - $16.95
  • PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO 2013 - DOC Alto Adige, Italy (#095802) (XD) - $17.95
  • MOMO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#009167) (XD) - $17.95
  • WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#468728) (XD) - $17.95
  • RENÉ MURÉ SIGNATURE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2012 - AC Alsace, France (#387563) (XD) - $21.95
  • JEAN-MARC BROCARD SAINTE CLAIRE VIEILLES VIGNES CHABLIS 2013 - AC, Burgundy, France (#329995) (XD) - $24.95  reviewed here
  • HIDDEN BENCH CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#068817) (XD) - $28.95  reviewed here
  • LOUIS LATOUR EN CARADEUX PERNAND-VERGELESSES 1 ER CRU 2011 - AC, Burgundy, France (#390500) (XD) - $44.95
  • LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2011 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada (#034561) (XD) - $65.00

Sparkling Wine:
  • TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE RIESLING SPARKLING WINE 2012 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#370361) (D) - $19.95  reviewed here
  • BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, Champagne, France (#234104) (D) (375 mL) - $43.95
  • BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE - AC, Champagne, France (#384529) (XD) - $75.95

Fortifieds:
  • TAYLOR FLADGATE FINE WHITE PORT - DOC Douro, Portugal (#069856) (S) - $15.95
  • DOW’S LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT 2009 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#613927) (MS) - $17.95  reviewed here
  • DALVA COLHEITA PORT 1995 - Btld. 2014, DOC Douro, Portugal (#69930) (S) - $32.95
  • SANDEMAN VINTAGE PORT 2011 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#362491) (MS) - $70.00

Dessert Wine:
  • DE BORTOLI NOBLE ONE BOTRYTIS SEMILLON 2011 - Riverina, New South Wales, Australia (#917252) (S) (375 mL) - $31.95 limited qty vintages flagship


The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.


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